Following fighting between the Lebanese Army and militants at the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, the Foreign Office has updated it travel advice for Lebanon to advise against all travel to Tripoli and the Palestinian refugee camps.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Following fighting between the Lebanese Army and militants at the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, the Foreign Office has updated it travel advice for Lebanon to advise against all travel to Tripoli and the Palestinian refugee camps. The summary now reads:
* We continue to advise against all but essential travel to Lebanon, due to the 2006 conflict between Hizbollah and Israel and the ongoing political instability within the country.
* We advise against all travel to Tripoli and to the Palestinian refugee camps following significant fighting between the Lebanese Army and militants in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp outside Tripoli, Northern Lebanon on 20 May 2007See the Political Situation section of this travel advice for details.
* We advise against all travel south of the Litani River. A major conflict broke out on 12 July 2006 between Hizbollah and Israel in which over 1,000 people died and hundreds were injured. There is a serious risk of danger from unexploded bombs being accidentally detonated. You should heed local advice in areas which have not been declared safe from unexploded ordnance.
* Since 23 January 2007 there have been a number of violent clashes across Lebanon between opposing groups. We strongly advise you to avoid all public demonstrations. See the Political Situation section of this travel advice for more details.
* There is a high threat of terrorism in Lebanon against Western interests, this includes a threat that Westerners may be kidnapped. On 20 May 2007 there was a bomb attack in Ashrafieh in Beirut, which killed at least one person and injured at least 10 others. See the Terrorism section of travel advice for more details.
* If you are in Lebanon you should exercise extreme caution and register with the British Embassy. You should keep abreast of the latest developments by listening to BBC and other English language-broadcasts and heed local advice.
* You should carry identity papers with you at all times.
* We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Lebanon. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see the "Travel Insurance" page of the FCO website.
Notes to editors
The advice previously read:
* We advise against all but essential travel to Lebanon. We advise against all travel south of the Litani River. A major conflict broke out on 12 July 2006 between Hizbollah and Israel in which over 1,000 people died and hundreds were injured. The conflict ended on 14 August 2006 with the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701. While this has largely been observed the security situation remains uncertain and there remains much unexploded ordnance in Southern Lebanon.
* Since 23 January 2007 there have been a number of violent clashes across Lebanon between opposing groups. We strongly advise you to avoid all public demonstrations. Please see the Political Situation section of this travel advice for more details.
* There is a high threat of terrorism in Lebanon, including a threat that Westerners may be kidnapped. On 13 February 2007 two buses were bombed near Bikfaya, Mount Lebanon, causing several fatalities. There is a risk that Western and British interests may be targeted.
* If you are in Lebanon you should exercise extreme caution and register with the British Embassy. You should keep abreast of the latest developments by listening to BBC and other English language-broadcasts and heed local advice.
* There is a serious risk of danger from unexploded bombs being accidentally detonated. This risk is greatest in the south of Lebanon, where the most ordnance fell. You should heed local advice in areas which have not been declared safe from unexploded ordnance.
* You should carry identity papers with you at all times.
* We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Lebanon. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see the "Travel Insurance" page of the FCO website.
* Full details of the revised travel advice for Lebanon are available on the Foreign Office website ( http://www.fco.gov.uk ).
* FCO Travel Advice can also be obtained on the following telephone number: 0845 850 2829.
* FCOTravel Advice is kept under constant review. This advice is based on our latest assessment of the situation in Lebanon.
Press Office, Downing Street ( West ), London SW1A 2AL
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